Johnny Wilson, wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, pauses to answer questions on the field of Caesars Superdome on Feb. 3. during Opening Night of Super Bowl LIX.
Credit: Lydia TongMillions of Philadelphians will spend the weekend rooting on the hometown Philadelphia Eagles in the upcoming Super Bowl LIX. But at Penn, one Quakers athlete will be cheering loudest of all.
That athlete is Penn football senior wide receiver Julien Stokes, a two-time All-Ivy selection and close friend of Eagles rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson. Stokes and Wilson grew up together in southern California, playing football together at Calabasas High School, and maintain a close bond to this day.
As Wilson prepares to play at the sport’s pinnacle during his first year as a pro, the pair reflected on their bond and the experience of watching each another grow.
“It’s unreal seeing one of your best friends playing in the Super Bowl while being a rookie,” Stokes said. “When I heard Johnny was being drafted to Philly, I couldn’t believe it.”
“Me and Juice, we go way back. I’ve known Juice since middle school. He’s just always been like a little brother to me,” Wilson said. “It’s funny to see [him] now, all grown up. Playing ball at Penn, doing his thing.”
After their time together at Calabasas, both Stokes and Wilson graduated to Division I college football. Wilson began his career at Arizona State in 2020, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Florida State in 2022. There, Wilson immediately became the Seminoles’ leading receiver, hauling in a combined 1,514 receiving yards during his two seasons with FSU.
After declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, Wilson was selected 185th overall by the Eagles, giving him the familiar rookie task of making a home in a new city. But luckily for Wilson, a piece of his home was already in the City of Brotherly Love.
“[Stokes] was one of the first people I hung out with when I got [to Philadelphia],” Wilson said. “He showed me around a little bit. … He’s a great friend.”
Stokes has found his own success since moving to Philadelphia. After playing sparingly as a freshman, Stokes burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2022, bringing home the Phil Steele Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Year award and being named to All-Ivy first team as a special teamer.
After a leg injury kept him sidelined for the entire 2023 season, Stokes returned to action in 2024 and regained his form, hauling in 37 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns, while also earning an All-Ivy second team nod as a kick returner.
In addition to his role with the Quakers, Stokes also became a permanent fixture at every Eagles game day.
“Many of my weekends this past year consisted of playing Saturdays at Franklin Field, then [being at] Lincoln Financial on Sundays to watch Johnny, [and] then spending the rest of the weekend at his place playing video games,” Stokes said. “I’m grateful to have witnessed Johnny grow into not only the NFL player he is, but the genuine, humble man he is.”
Stokes has aspirations to join Wilson in the NFL, saying he plans “to run into him on the field again very soon.” Wilson also praised Stokes’ work ethic, complimenting his constant willingness to work.
But regardless of whether they ever share the field again, Stokes and Wilson will share a bond for life.
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